Actress Helen Mirren talks to woman&home about why she loves getting glamorous, being British and her ideal man
If I have struck a blow for women, it’s not because of the way I look, it’s because I’m working in a profession in which the perception is that you should have stopped at 60.
I really don’t look younger than I am. This is what 65 looks like. I see a lot of women the same age who look much better and younger than I do.
I am always very excited when I see good young actors like Andrea Riseborough and Sam Riley, who I worked with on Brighton Rock. You learn from them and they drive you on.
I am British. I love Britain for all its faults and all its virtues. My husband is American and I am largely based in Los Angeles, but whenever someone asks me where home is, I automatically say “London”.
I am in a fabulously lucky position in that I get to wear beautiful, beautiful gowns for functions, which I can then give back. That way, they’re not sitting in my wardrobe with me looking at them and feeling guilty. I love that and I think when people have a fabulous function to go to, I’d recommend renting.
It’s odd being able to see yourself as a young woman. The other day, I watched a YouTube clip of myself on Michael Parkinson’s show in 1975. His initial line of questioning was to ask if my “physical attributes” (he referred to my breasts as “my equipment”) hindered my ambitions as a serious actress. I was astonished watching myself standing up to him and saying something like, “What do you mean, Michael? That serious actresses can’t have big breasts?” I thought, “Wow, I was so cool”. I couldn’t believe how cool I was.
I love funny women. I love Jo Brand. Whenever I watch her, I think, “I can’t believe it, I am you, you are me”. She understands everything I think about life. I am basically Jo Brand in disguise. Well, in my dreams.
I love men that love women. Morgan Freeman, who I worked with on RED, was very flattering to me. But he is flattering to all women. He is a woman-charmer.
My whole life, I’ve been lucky to have lovely men in my life. I have my husband, my husband’s sons and my nephew. When men are good – and the men in my family are good – they’re fantastic.
Do Taylor and I row? We row: and occasionally the sun sets on a row, but it never rises on one. It’ll be gone by morning. If it isn’t, then it’s an issue we’ve got to deal with.
I don’t think it’s good to try and change anyone. The trick and the mystery – of relationships and life in general – is to learn to live with the bits you don’t like.
Brighton Rock is at cinemas from 4 February, The Debt from 11 February and The Tempest from 4 March. RED is out on DVD on 14 February.